Which of the following major issues is not picked up by Samuel Johnson in his work, "Preface to Shakespeare"?

Correct option is A

Explanation:

In his Preface to Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson analyzes the works of William Shakespeare, examining how Shakespeare's genius sets him apart from other playwrights and poets. Johnson discusses Shakespeare's understanding of human nature, his poetic license, and his ability to create timeless characters. He also addresses the role of the poet in engaging with both nature and the emotional experiences of mankind.

However, Johnson does not focus on the role of the audience in dramatization—the importance of how the audience perceives a play, how a play’s success is influenced by audience reception, or how dramatization itself should be adjusted to suit the tastes of the audience. His critique is more centered on the technical and thematic aspects of Shakespeare’s works rather than considerations of the audience's reaction.

Information Booster:

One of the central themes in Johnson’s Preface to Shakespeare is the establishment of the poet’s status in the literary tradition.

-  Johnson defends Shakespeare's literary merit and argues that, while Shakespeare did not always adhere to classical rules, he achieved greatness by transcending these rules. For Johnson, Shakespeare’s natural understanding of human emotions and experiences made him stand apart from other poets.

-  In fact, Johnson strongly asserts that the greatness of a poet should not be judged by strict adherence to rules, but by his capacity to represent universal truths and human nature. Shakespeare’s ability to engage the universal aspect of human experience gave him an esteemed place in literary history, according to Johnson.

-  Johnson was fascinated by Shakespeare’s ability to depict nature, both in its natural state and in its emotional impact on the human mind. Shakespeare’s work, Johnson claims, reflects both the inner emotional state of the characters and the broader natural world in which those emotions play out. Johnson emphasizes the power of human experience, seeing it as intertwined with the natural world. Shakespeare’s characters are often shaped by their interactions with nature, and their emotional and intellectual growth throughout the plays is shown in relation to the world around them. Johnson argues that Shakespeare’s true genius lies in his ability to understand human nature and express it through nature, which is why his plays are timeless and still resonate with audiences today.

-  Johnson also explores the question of criticism and set conventions, comparing Shakespeare’s work to neoclassical standards of the time. Neoclassical critics (such as Aristotle) focused on rules like unity of time, place, and action, but Johnson contends that Shakespeare’s ability to disregard these rigid conventions did not make his works less valuable. Rather, it was his freedom from such constraints that allowed him to engage more deeply with human nature and reality. Shakespeare's deviations from classical form were not signs of error but expressions of artistic freedom that brought a deeper emotional authenticity to his work. Johnson argues that artistic license is crucial to expressing truth in a way that connects with the audience.

- For Johnson, Shakespeare's poetic genius does not come from following established rules but from his innate ability to capture the depths of human nature. Johnson praises Shakespeare for writing in a way that was truthful to human emotions, often breaking from the traditions of formal drama. Johnson thus acknowledges that Shakespeare’s artistic merit lies in his ability to connect with the audience on a deep, emotional level rather than his adherence to tradition or convention.